Solomon Airlines leads the way in enhancing regional airline connectivity, announcing adjustments to their Port Vila flights to streamline travel connections for air travellers between Pacific nations. The move marks a new phase of regional airline cooperation between Pacific Island carriers, aimed at improving air access and flight connectivity throughout the region.
According to the CEO of Solomon Airlines, Mr Gus Kraus, the adjustments are part of a larger effort to maximize opportunities for regional cooperation and bring operational efficiencies to airlines. “Regional connectivity is not easy to achieve, and requires longer-term commitments,” he said. “However, it is very beneficial for our collective customers and brings operational efficiencies for airlines.”
Effective Saturday, March 25th, 2023, the Port Vila services will shift from weekend operations to mid-week departures, enabling same-day connections from Port Vila via Honiara to Port Moresby and onwards to other international destinations. Honiara to Port Vila flights will depart on Tuesdays at 2:20 pm as IE722, arriving in Port Vila at 4:20 pm. Port Vila to Honiara will depart as IE723 on Wednesdays at 8:15 am, arriving in Honiara at 10:15 am.
The airline will also adjust the timing of flight IE706 operating between Honiara and Brisbane on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing Honiara at 11:15 and arriving in Brisbane at 1:30 pm. Domestic schedules to Honiara on these days will also be adjusted to ensure connections are maintained to the retimed Honiara to Brisbane services.
In addition, services to and from Fiji will be refined, with the introduction of Saturday direct flights between Honiara and Nadi with flight IE702 departing at 2:20 pm and arriving in Nadi at 6:15 pm. Nadi to Honiara direct flight IE703 will operate on Sundays, departing Nadi at 8:15 am and arriving in Honiara at 10:15 am.
“These are all important timing adjustments which will make same-day connections much easier for travelers between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, and also via Port Moresby and Nadi onwards to other destinations in Asia and the USA,” said Mr Kraus. The airline will endeavour to minimize inconvenience to existing passengers during the scheduled changeover and provide support with date changes or refunds in accordance with their conditions of carriage.
Solomon Airlines Reservations can be contacted at (+61) 07 38605883 or reservations@flysolomons.com for further booking assistance. As the Pacific Island carriers move into a new phase of regional airline cooperation, this is an important development that will enhance regional connectivity and make air travel more efficient for passengers.
Written by: Stephen Morton
